Variation in morphology and morphometrics of eggs of Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes from different ecological regions of India

Variation in egg surface morphology and morphometrics of Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes of the Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jamnagar, and Bathinda strains were correlated with geographical distribution in different ecological regions of India. We report the geographic variation in Cx. quinquefasciatus based on 44 attributes of micropylar and conical‐shaped regions of eggs, including micropylar apparatus (corolla, disc, and mound), micropylar tubercles, and the exochorionic tubercle, pores, and network in anterior, middle, and posterior regions. No remarkable differences were observed in the surface morphology of eggs of these strains except the absence of small tubercles in the anterior and middle region of the JMN strain. However, a statistical analysis indicated significant morphometric variations in 66% of the attributes of the eggs. The cluster analysis of all egg attributes showed that the JD, BKN, and BTH strains are closer to each other than the JMN strain. The positive correlation (r = 0.95) also indicated an effect of geographical distribution on morphometry of various egg attributes of these strains. The present study suggests that ecological variation may have affected the morphometric attributes of the egg of four strains of Cx. quinquefasciatus from different geographical areas.     

不同温度对麦蛾茧蜂实验种群生长发育的影响

在15,20,25和30℃4个温度梯度下,测定了麦蛾茧蜂Habrobracon hebetor(Say)成蜂寿命、生殖力、发育历期等生物学参数。结果表明,在实验温度范围内,卵期在15℃最长,为(9.50±1.39)d;幼虫发育历期在20℃最长,为(6.60±1.41)d;蛹期在15℃最长,为(23.71±2.63)d。雌蜂的寿命在15℃时最长,为(50.15±6.9)d;30℃时最短,为(9.20±3.12)d雄蜂的寿命在15℃时最长,为(11.45±3.52)d;30℃时最短为(5.90±1.62)d。产卵量在25℃最大,为(208.50±40.12)粒;羽化数、羽化率在30℃最高,分别为(23.60±9.33)%和(35.87±13.87)%;温度变化对麦蛾茧蜂雌成蜂生物学参数具有显著影响。     

Adult Emergence Rhythm of Fruit Flies Drosophila melanogaster under Seminatural Conditions

In insects, the role of circadian clocks in the temporal regulation of adult emergence rhythm under natural conditions has not previously been reported. Here we present the results of a study aimed at examining the time course and waveform of emergence rhythm in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster under seminatural condition (SN). We studied this rhythm in wild-type and clock mutant flies under SN in parallel with laboratory condition (LAB) to examine (1) how the rhythm differs between SN and LAB, (2) what roles the circadian clock protein PERIOD and the circadian photoreceptor CRYPTOCHROME (CRY) play in the regulation of emergence rhythm under SN, and (3) whether there is seasonality in the rhythm. Under SN, wild-type flies displayed tightly gated emergence, peaking at "dawn" and gradually tapering down toward the evening, with little or no emergence by night, while in LAB, flies emerged throughout the light phase of light-dark (LD) cycles. The period loss-of-function mutant (per ( 0 )) flies were arrhythmic in LAB but displayed weak rhythmic emergence under SN. Under SN, cry mutants displayed less robust rhythm with wider gates, greater variance in peak timing, and enhanced nighttime emergence compared to controls. Furthermore, flies showed seasonal variation in emergence rhythm, coupled either to light or to humidity/temperature depending on the severity of environmental conditions. These results suggest that adult emergence rhythm of Drosophila is more robust in nature, is coupled to environmental cycles, and shows seasonal variations.     

桔小实蝇抗敌百虫品系的实验种群生物学比较研究

【目的】研究明确桔小实蝇 Bactrocare dorsalis (Hendel) 抗药性品系与敏感品系的基本生物学特征以及相对适合度、内禀增长率等种群生物学参数差异。【方法】实验室条件下筛选出对敌百虫具中抗和高抗的桔小实蝇品系,观察记录其与敏感品系的生物学特性,比较三者之间的主要生物学参数。【结果】桔小实蝇敏感品系与2个抗性品系的卵、幼虫和蛹的发育历期、化蛹率、产卵前期、雌雄虫寿命、存活时间及雌虫比率均无显著差异。中抗品系卵孵化率和成虫羽化率分别为68.33%和93.73%,均显著低于敏感品系（分别为88.33%和97.93%）和高抗品系（分别为86.67%和98.21%）。与敏感品系的产卵量864.61粒/雌和高抗品系的产卵量750.70粒/雌相比,中抗品系的产卵量降低至630.87粒/雌。3个品系雌虫日产卵量动态规律比较一致,均呈开始产卵后短时间内进入产卵盛期,继而产量达到高峰,之后产卵量波动下降。但是与敏感品系相比,2个抗性品系雌虫较早进入产卵高峰。对成虫存活率动态拟合方程参数c值均大于1,符合I型存活曲线基本模型,表明在实验室理想条件下3个品系成虫均能达到其平均寿命。敏感品系种群趋势指数（I）最高,为339.41,其次为高抗品系（I =307.82）,最小为中抗品系（ I =175.79）,表明对敌百虫产生抗性抑制了桔小实蝇种群的增长,中抗品系抑制程度更大。敏感和高抗品系实验种群净增殖率较高,分别为327.89和284.29;中抗品系显著较低,为217.49。2个抗性品系内禀增长率（r_m）和周限增长率（λ）间无显著差异,且均显著大于敏感品系,世代历期（T）则显著缩短。基于种群净增殖率获得的敌百虫高抗和中抗品系相对适合度分别为0.8670和0.6633。【结论】在敌百虫的选择压力下,桔小实蝇抗药性品系的世代周期、中抗品系卵的孵化率和蛹的羽化率显著降低,其他多项生物学特征无显著变化。抗性品系的繁殖力和种群世代增长量受到抑制,以中抗品系更为明显;但与敏感品系相比,抗性品系种群增长潜力更大。     

Predatory efficiency of the water bug Sphaerodema annulatum on mosquito larvae (Culex quinquefasciatus) and its effect on the adult emergence

The daily number of IV instar larva of Culex quinquefasciatus killed, rate of pupation and adult emergence was noted in presence of the predatory water bug Sphaerodema annulatum for a period of seven consecutive days, experimentally, in the laboratory. The rate of IV instar larva killed by the water bugs on an average was 65.17 per day. The rate of pupation ranged between 7.6 and 48 in control while in presence of water bugs it ranged between 6 and 35. The rate of adult emergence in control experiments varied between 1.4 and 4.8 per day, which was reduced to only 0.4-28.8 per day in case of the water bugs. The results clearly indicate that the water bugs on its way of predation reduces the rate of pupation and adult emergence of Cx. quinquefasciatus significantly which calls for an extensive field trials.     

大豆蚜寄生蜂豆柄瘤蚜茧蜂室内生物学特性观察

豆柄瘤蚜茧蜂Lysiphlebus fabarum( Marshall)是大豆蚜Aphis glycines Matsumura的一种重要寄生蜂.在实验室条件下,对豆柄瘤蚜茧蜂的发育历期、繁殖力、寿命和性比等指标,以及成蜂的羽化、取食、产卵行为等生物学特性进行了观察描述.结果表明:在19 ～31℃范围内,发育历期随着温...     

Stability of Adult Emergence and Activity/Rest Rhythms in Fruit Flies Drosophila melanogaster under Semi-Natural Condition

Here we report the results of a study aimed at examining stability of adult emergence and activity/rest rhythms under semi-natural conditions (henceforth SN), in four large outbred fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster populations, selected for emergence in a narrow window of time under laboratory (henceforth LAB) light/dark (LD) cycles. When assessed under LAB, selected flies display enhanced stability in terms of higher amplitude, synchrony and accuracy in emergence and activity rhythms compared to controls. The present study was conducted to assess whether such differences in stability between selected and control populations, persist under SN where several gradually changing time-cues are present in their strongest form. The study revealed that under SN, emergence waveform of selected flies was modified, with even more enhanced peak and narrower gate-width compared to those observed in the LAB and compared to control populations in SN. Furthermore, flies from selected populations continued to exhibit enhanced synchrony and accuracy in their emergence and activity rhythms under SN compared to controls. Further analysis of zeitgeber effects revealed that enhanced stability in the rhythmicity of selected flies under SN was primarily due to increased sensitivity to light because emergence and activity rhythms of selected flies were as stable as controls under temperature cycles. These results thus suggest that stability of circadian rhythms in fruit flies D. melanogaster, which evolved as a consequence of selection for emergence in a narrow window of time under weak zeitgeber condition of LAB, persists robustly in the face of day-to-day variations in cycling environmental factors of nature.     

温度对褐飞虱抗/感吡虫啉品系种群生长的影响

与敏感性品系相比 ,经过连续 1 4代筛选的褐飞虱抗性品系对吡虫啉具有 48.5倍的抗性。通过构建不同温度下敏感品系和抗性品系的实验种群生命表 ,发现不适温度对 2个品系的生长发育和繁殖都有明显的影响 ,而且这种影响在 2个品系间存在差异。高温 ( 3 2℃ )和低温 ( 1 8℃ )导致 2个品系若虫存活率、羽化率、交配率、产卵量和孵化率明显下降。在 2 5℃ ,3 2℃和 1 8℃下 ,敏感品系的种群趋势指数分别为 1 64 3 ,2 6 7和 5 8 5 ,抗性品系的相应值分别为 81 4,9 5和 2 3 0。     

韭菜迟眼蕈蚊在不同温度下的实验种群生命表

组建了韭菜迟眼蕈蚊Bradysia odoriphaga 在15℃、20℃、25℃和30℃温度下的实验种群生命表。结果表明,韭菜迟眼蕈蚊各虫态的发育速率随温度的升高而加快,在15℃下卵-成虫的发育历期最长（72.4天）,而30℃时仅为21.2天,20℃和25℃时分别为27.3天和23.9天;韭菜迟眼蕈蚊卵、幼虫,蛹和卵-成虫的发育起点温度分别为5.9℃、8.7℃,3.3℃和7.8℃,有效积温分别为77.7、267.2、75.7和418.2日·度;韭菜迟眼蕈蚊成虫寿命随温度升高而逐渐缩短,雌虫寿命在20℃时最长,为11.7天,在30℃下最短,仅存活4.1天,除30℃外在其它温度下雌蚊寿命均长于雄蚊;单雌产卵量在20℃时最高,平均为159.9粒,30℃时最低,为114.7粒。20℃～25℃是韭菜迟眼蕈蚊的最适生长温度,成虫寿命长、繁殖力强、种群趋势指数大,温度过高或过低均不利于种群的繁衍。     

褐飞虱、白背飞虱种间、种内密度制约效应研究

以高感品种TN1为材料．研究了褐飞虱、白背飞虱成、若虫密度对种群的制约效应。实验表明,单虫种一龄善虫密度15头／株和30头／株相比．褐飞虱成虫的羽化率、短翘率、体长和若虫历期均无明显差异,但成虫雌性比率前高;白背飞虱成虫羽化率前比后高21．22％．短翘率高15.25％。在两种飞虱一龄若虫密度30、45、60头／株等虫量混合组配下,褐飞虱成虫羽化率60头／株比30头／株下降28％,白背飞虱若虫历期以30头／株最长。在总虫量为30头／株时,种内(30头／株)和种间(15：15头／株)比．白背飞虱种内处理成虫羽化率高36．83％．昔虫历期短;褐飞虱以种内处理成虫短翘率高。从产卵位点来看．褐飞虱喜产在稻株叶鞘中下部厚肉组织上,白背飞虱以叶脉基部产卵为主．成虫密度2、4、8对／株3处理,其叶鞘、叶脉上的平均卵块变小;10天内的平均卵量亦减步。同密度下,种间组合比种内组合的产卵量多。从各指标对密度反应来看,褐飞虱比白背飞虱更耐拥挤。     

Artificial radiofrequency driven life-table parameters of perilla seed bugs (Nysius sp.) (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae)

The genus Nysius (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) are polyphagous pests of various plants that damage seeds, foliage, and flowers. Here, we studied the life-table parameters and adult performances of Nysius plebeius Distant and Nysius hidakai Nakatani after exposure to five radiofrequencies: 0 (control), 5, 10, 20, and 30 kHz in infested perilla seeds. In addition, we measured the follow on effects of treatment for four generations (Parent, F1-, F2-, and F3-generation), for both Nysius species. Radiofrequency application significantly affected the life-table parameters of both Nysius species. Radiofrequency exposures affected bug oviposition, developmental period, adult weight, and longevity. Exposure also negatively affected the fecundity of subsequent generations; total developmental period from egg to adult emergence was longer while adult longevity was shorter in the radiofrequency treatments than in the untreated control. Low radiofrequency levels had the greatest effect on the life-table parameters of Nysius species, with the lowest rate of adult emergence and the shortest adult longevity at 5 kHz. The potential of using Nysius bug susceptibilities to radiofrequency as an alternative to chemical treatment is discussed.     

Cross-resistance between strains of Bacillus sphaericus but not B. thuringiensis israelensis in colonies of the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus

Two colonies of Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae) were selected with Bacillus sphaericus strains C3-41 and IAB59 in the laboratory for 13 and 18 generations; they attained 145,000- and 48.3-fold resistance, respectively, in comparison with a susceptible laboratory colony (SLCq) and showed very high levels of cross-resistance (8500- to 145,000-fold) to B. sphaericus strains C3-41, 1593, 2297 and 2362. They were relatively susceptible to B. sphaericus strains LP1-G and 47-6B (only 0.8- to 2.8-fold tolerance), with 24.8- to 48.3-fold cross-resistance to strain IAB59. B. sphaericus-resistant mosquito colonies remained highly susceptible to B. thuringiensis israelensis, suggesting that B.t.i. would be of value in the management of B. sphaericus-resistant Cx. quinquefasciatus colonies. The demonstration of low or no cross-resistance of two selected resistant Cx. quinquefasciatus colonies to IAB59, LP1-G and 47-6B strains of B. sphaericus and the finding of a major 49 kDa protein in these strains suggest that there is likely to be another mosquitocidal factor in the three strains.     

Biodiversity of the microbial flora associated with two strains of Culexpipiens (Diptera: Culicidae)

Bacterial Flora from external surface and alimentary canal of wild and laboratory strains of Culex pipiens were isolated and investigated using quantitative bacterial cultures. Individual colonies were subcultured and identified to species level. Counts from alimentary canal differ significantly from those of the external surface. An increase in bacterial density was detected after feeding on mammalian and avian blood meal. Bacterial identification revealed a complex bacterial flora. In addition to members of family Enterobacteriaceae species of Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Acinetobacter are the most common in both strains investigated. Gram negative bacteria were increased significantly after feeding on blood meals than those detecting during the feeding on sugar after emergence of the adult female mosquitoes and vise versa with Gram positive bacteria. Bacterial isolates were tested for resistance to the most common commercial antibiotics.     

Influence of temperature on life-table parameters of Stethorus gilvifrons (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) fed on Tetranychus urticae Koch

The influence of temperature on life-table parameters, fecundity and survivorship of the predatory ladybird, Stethorus gilvifrons , fed on Tetranychus urticae was determined at seven constant temperatures of 15°C, 20°C, 25°C, 28°C, 30°C, 35°C and 40°C. No development was observed at 40°C, thus being regarded as the threshold for the development of S. gilvifrons . The results indicate a significant decrease in male and female longevity with increasing temperature from 15°C to 35°C. The longest and shortest longevity were 18.40 and 12.75 days for males and 17.40 and 8.80 days for females, respectively. The intrinsic rate of natural increase ( r _m ) and the net reproductive rate ( R ₀) of S. gilvifrons linearly increased with increasing temperatures from 15°C to 35°C, while the mean generation time ( T ) and doubling time (DT) decreased linearly within this temperature range. The highest values of r _m (0.240 females/female/day) and R ₀ (59.27 females/female) and the lowest mean generation time (17.01 days) and DT (2.88 days) were recorded at 35°C. The maximum (185.50 eggs) and minimum (25.50 eggs) measurement of total fecundity was also recorded at 35°C and 15°C, respectively. The results indicate that temperature greatly affected fecundity, survivorship and life-table parameters of S. gilvifrons , and that 35°C is a suitable temperature for population growth of this predator.     

拟环纹豹蛛的生物生态学研究

运用田间观察和室内外饲养相结合的方法,对稻田蜘蛛优势种拟环纹豹蛛Pardosa pseudoannulata的生物生态学特性进行了研究。拟环纹豹蛛在湘西北1年发生2～3代,第3代不完整,以第2代历期最短,第3代（越冬代）历期最长;以成蛛、亚成蛛或幼蛛越冬,其分布图式为聚集分布;4月下旬即由田埂向稻田内迁移,在水稻生育期有3次数量高峰; 属游猎型蜘蛛,可步行在水稻、水面、陆地等处捕食飞虱、叶蝉等多种目标害虫; 受惊时潜入水中或潜伏。雌雄蛛均可多次交配,雌蛛一生最多可产卵5次,实验种群卵囊含卵量76～337粒,平均156粒。孵化的幼蛛,先群集在雌蛛背面,3～5天后开始扩散,6～7天扩散到高峰。幼蛛期47～158天;成蛛期121～236天,雌蛛较雄蛛长21～62天。性比除第2代外的各代均为雄性多于雌性。本文详细记述了拟环纹豹蛛的求偶与交配行为,产卵与护卵习性,孵化与携幼行为,幼蛛生长、蜕皮、各龄期形态特征及耐饥、耐旱能力等。     

Antixenosis and antibiosis of common beans to Thrips palmi Karny (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

Antixenosis and antibiosis in the resistance of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to the melon thrips, Thrips palmi Karny, were investigated under laboratory and field conditions. Experiments were conducted for four moderately resistant genotypes ('Brunca', BH-130, EMP 486, and FEB 115) in comparison with one susceptible genotype (APN 18). Multiple-choice tests recorded most thrips on EMP 486 and least on FEB 115. Dual-choice tests conducted in both laboratory and field confirmed the antixenotic effect of FEB 115 and the attractant effect of EMP 486 on thrips. These results demonstrate the significance of antixenosis in the resistance of common beans to T. palmi. Life-table studies showed significant differences in egg duration, immature and adult survivorship, female body length and longevity, daily oviposition rate, and total fecundity among the bean genotypes. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r(m)) and its associated population parameters varied significantly with the bean genotype on which T. palmi cohorts were reared. Based on mean r(m) values, the five bean genotypes can be divided into two groups, with BH-130 and 'Brunca' being less favorable for the population growth of thrips than EMP 486 and FEB 115; the latter were comparable to the susceptible genotype APN 18. These life-table results indicate the role of antibiosis in enhancing the resistance of common beans to T. palmi.     

Metabolite profiles of lactic acid bacteria in grass silage

The metabolite production of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on silage was investigated. The aim was to compare the production of antifungal metabolites in silage with the production in liquid cultures previously studied in our laboratory. The following metabolites were found to be present at elevated concentrations in silos inoculated with LAB strains: 3-hydroxydecanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-4-methylpentanoic acid, benzoic acid, catechol, hydrocinnamic acid, salicylic acid, 3-phenyllactic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, (trans, trans)-3,4-dihydroxycyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid, p-hydrocoumaric acid, vanillic acid, azelaic acid, hydroferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, hydrocaffeic acid, ferulic acid, and caffeic acid. Among these metabolites, the antifungal compounds 3-phenyllactic acid and 3-hydroxydecanoic acid were previously isolated in our laboratory from liquid cultures of the same LAB strains by bioassay-guided fractionation. It was concluded that other metabolites, e.g., p-hydrocoumaric acid, hydroferulic acid, and p-coumaric acid, were released from the grass by the added LAB strains. The antifungal activities of the identified metabolites in 100 mM lactic acid were investigated. The MICs against Pichia anomala, Penicillium roqueforti, and Aspergillus fumigatus were determined, and 3-hydroxydecanoic acid showed the lowest MIC (0.1 mg ml(-1) for two of the three test organisms).     

Mosquito larvicidal activity of aqueous extracts of long pepper (Piper retrofractum vahl) from Thailand.

Aqueous extracts of nine medicinal plants were bioassayed against larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus Say and Aedes aegypt (L.). Among these plants, the long pepper, Piper retrofractum Vahl (Piperaceae), showed the highest level of activity against mosquito larvae. To gain more information on larvicidal activity of P. retrofractum, fresh fruits of this plant were extracted in water and the extracts made into powder and bioassayed against 3rd and 4th instar larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti in the laboratory. Extracts of unripe (001/3) and ripe (002/3 and 001/4) fruits showed different levels of activity against Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae. Extracts 001/3 and 002/3 were equi-toxic to a Bacillus sphaericus resistant and susceptible strains, both from Thailand. The ripe fruit extract 002/3 was somewhat more active against Ae. aegypti than Cx. quinquefasciatus. Another ripe fruit extract (001/4) was much more toxic to both mosquito species. Diluted solutions of the solid extract (002/3) in distilled water lost their larvicidal activity upon aging. Loss of activity at 25 degrees C was greater than that stored at 4 degrees C, and greater in water than in acetone solution.     

Effects of a juvenoid, DPE-28, on biology and behaviour of Culex quinquefasciatus, the human filariasis vector

Studies on the effect of a juvenoid, DPE-28 (2,4-dinitrophenyl-2',6'-di-tertiarybutyl phenyl ether) on biology and behaviour of Cx. quinquefasciatus showed that the developmental duration, sex ratio, mating success and blood feeding were considerably affected by the exposure of larvae and pupae to the compound. Exposure of fourth instar larvae to 0.007 (EI90) and 0.0019 (EI50) ppm of DPE-28 prolonged the duration of pupation by 58.6 and 52.4 hr and delayed the adult emergence by 35.4 and 17.7 hr in males and 36.8 and 21.1 hr in females respectively. Exposure of freshly ecdysed pupae to 10 and 5 ppm delayed the adult emergence with respect to the control by 54.3 and 32.4 hr in males and 55.2 and 33.2 hr in females respectively. The sex ratio of the adults emerged from treated larvae and pupae was also affected. The female mosquitoes that survived from the exposed fourth instar larvae and pupae exhibited a low blood engorgement ratio. This depression in blood feeding was more pronounced in adults emerged from treated pupae than that of treated fourth instar larvae. A significant proportion of adults emerged from treated larvae and pupae were able to feed only partially. Mating success of the treated populations declined considerably when crosses were made between the males and females emerged from treated fourth instar larvae and pupae. The adults emerged from treated larvae and pupae showed a significant reduction in the oviposition.